Folding multi-purpose exercise apparatus with exchangeable engines

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine that can fold up for storage in a closet, provides a complete set of different exercises, and allows change-out of different types of engines including weight stack or weight engines and extension engines where one or more elastic members is extended such as a bungee engine. The present invention can be supplied fully cabled so that no cable installation is needed. The lower frame can be assembled by pivoting into place and can be secured with fasteners or at most two bolts. The press arms and other features can also be secured with fasteners or at most two bolts. The bottom seat/back seat can be pre-assembled and easily removable. The weight stack or bungee rack can be removed and changed or re-installed. All parts can be held in place with either fasteners or a small number or easily removable bolts.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise machines and more particularly to a folding multi-purpose exercise apparatus with an exchangeable engine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Multi-purpose exercise machines that help build muscles or provide tone up are known in the art. In particular, the type of exercise apparatus that provides a seat for the user with the ability to provide many different exercise routines is available. This type of machine is normally equipped with an engine that provides resistance to pulling or pushing with motion of a person's limbs translated into either the lifting of a set of weights or the pulling of a set of bungee cords. This type of machine usually contains structures that allow lifting and/or pushing downward with the legs, pulling downward with the arms on a bar, kneeling exercises and many times many other exercise routines. It is known to provide a chest workout by sitting facing forward and pulling downward on a bar that causes the engine to provide an upward force; a back workout by sitting facing backward and pulling downward on the bar or standing and pulling upward on a bar/cable arrangement; arms workouts, shoulders workouts, abs workouts and leg workouts by similar pulling or pushing against the adjustable force provided by the engine.

Since there are at least two different types of engines, those based on weights and those based on bungees, each providing different advantages, it would be advantageous to have a multi-purpose exercise apparatus where the different engines could be exchanged. It would also be advantageous to have a multi-purpose exercise apparatus that can be folded up to be stored in a closet or elsewhere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exercise machine that can fold up for storage in a closet, provides a complete set of different exercises, and allows change-out of different types of engines including weight stack or weight engines and extension engines where one or more elastic members is extended such as a bungee engine. The present invention can be supplied fully cabled so that no cable installation is needed. The lower frame can be assembled by pivoting into place and can be secured with fasteners or at most two bolts. The press arms and other features can also be secured with fasteners or at most two bolts. The bottom seat/back seat can be pre-assembled and easily removable. The weight stack or bungee rack can be removed and changed or re-installed. All parts can be held in place with either fasteners or a small number or easily removable bolts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

As an aid to understanding the present invention, attention is directed to the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-purpose exercise apparatus with a weight lifting engine.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a multi-purpose exercise apparatus with a bungee cord engine.

FIG. 3 shows part of a multi-purpose exercise apparatus without an engine in a folded configuration.

Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in the understanding of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to FIG. 1, a multi-purpose exercise apparatus is seen that includes several guide rods 1 that hold the engine 2 and support the more forward part of the apparatus such as the seat 3. At the top of the guide rods 1, a pulley arrangement 4 can be seen. This pulley arrangement 4 is used to translate the up-down force supplied by the engine 2 to motion in different and even sometimes opposite directions (FIG. 1 shows a weight engine, while FIG. 2 shows a bungee engine). In addition to the adjustable seat 3, and adjustable backrest 5, a press arm 6 and a pull-down bar 7 can be seen. Leg cushions 8, a leg extension assembly 9, a cable pull bar 10 and a foot plate 11 can also be seen. The unit can be equipped with a pair of easily removable lower stability legs 18.

FIG. 1 shows a weight-lift type of engine 2 where a variable number of weights 12 can be selected for various amounts of force with an insert pin 13. The weights are raised by a cable 14. The total weight can be between around 150 lbs. to around 210 lbs.

FIG. 2 shows a similar multi-purpose exercise apparatus with a bungee cord engine 15. In this type of engine, a group of individual bungee cords is chosen by a set of pins 16 or by any other means. The force is multiplied by the number of bungee cords chosen. This type of engine usually uses a large rotating pulley or force translation device 17 to change the direction of the force supplied by the chosen bungees. This translation device 17 is generally part of the engine. While the preferred second type of engine is a bungee engine, any other type of engine can be used including engines that stretch other elastic members besides bungees. Any types of engines are within the scope of the present invention.

A particular feature the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it allows the interchangeability of a weight driven engine 13 and a bungee engine 15. This allows easier manufacturability and allows distributors to store less units. When a customer purchases a machine, a choice can be made as to the type of engine the customer wants. The correct engine can then be immediately installed. The interchangeability of the two engine types can be facilitated by either bolted, snapped or otherwise attached brackets 18 that allow the engine to be removed or installed, and also hold it securely during operation.

Another feature of the present invention is its ability to easily fold once the engine is removed. FIG. 3 shows the apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention in a folded position. After the unit is folded, it can be stored in a closet or other location. The engine can be stored with it. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the unit can be folded without removing the engine. To fold the unit, the seat 3, foot plate 11, rear stabilizers 18, backrest 5, press arm 6 and pull-down bar 7 and leg cushions 8 can be removed as well as the cables and engine. These can all be removed using either fasteners or a small number of bolts. The unit can then fold about a central bracket 19 by removing either a fastener or one bolt.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous changes and variations which can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A multi-purpose exercise apparatus comprising a frame, a seat, and a force engine, said force engine adapted for performing a plurality of exercises, said force engine being removable by a user and replaceable by a force engine of a different type.
 2. The multi-purpose exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said force engine is a weight stack.
 3. The multi-purpose exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said force engine is a bungee engine.
 4. The multi-purpose exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a central pivot point about which said machine can fold for storage.
 5. A multipurpose exercise machine comprising a vertical frame, a force engine coupled to said vertical frame, said force engine providing resistance force for a pull down bar, a press arm and a cable pull, said force engine being removable from said vertical frame and wherein said machine is foldable for storage.
 6. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 5 wherein said force engine is a weight stack.
 7. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 5 wherein said force engine is a bungee engine.
 8. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 5 wherein said force engine is attached to said vertical frame with a plurality of fasteners.
 9. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 5 wherein said engine is replaceable by an engine of a different type.
 10. A multipurpose exercise machine comprising a vertical frame, a force engine coupled to said vertical frame, said force engine providing resistance force for a pull down bar, a press arm and a cable pull, said multipurpose exercise machine also including an adjustable seat and an adjustable backpad, said multipurpose exercise machine being foldable for storage in a closet.
 11. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 10 wherein said force engine is a weight stack.
 12. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 10 wherein said force engine is a bungee engine.
 13. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 10 wherein said force engine is attached to said vertical frame with a plurality of fasteners.
 14. The multipurpose exercise machine of claim 10 wherein said force engine is replaceable by an engine of a different type. 